Reversible-flow window fan



e. A. DELF ETAL REVERSIBLE-FLOW WINDOW FAN July 7, 1953' Filed Jan. 5) 1950 INVENTORS. GEORGE, A. DELF GLENN A. DELF AT TO R N EYS Patented July 7, 1953 REVERSIBLE-FLOW WINDOW FAN George A. Delf, Creve Cour, and Glenn A. Delf, University City, Mo.

Application January 5, 1950, Serial No.1136,99 8

10 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in reversible-fiow window fans, and more particularly to certain improved detachable connections between a fan-motor frame or housing, and other elements normally secured in a window opening, whereby to enable, by a quick and easy translatory movement, aphysical, as distinguished from an electrical, reversal of direction of air flow through the window opening.

The present designers are aware that numerou's attempts have heretofore been made to attain by solely physical means, a reversibility of a. window fan assembly so as to reverse the flow of air through the window served by the assembly. However, most such facilities have heretofore consisted of pivotal arrangements for rotation of the fan-motor unit about either a horizontal or a vertical axis, and by other means, all of which as far as have come to applicants attention, result in high costs, uncertainty of final position of the fan in the window, liability to creation of shunt air paths, and other shortcomings. It is accordingly a principal objective of the present invention to provide a structurally simple, positive and low cost provision for the purpose aforesaid, such as to facilitate the physicaltransposition of the fan motor unit for the noted purpose, and to assure a positive and constant relation of the unit with respect to the window, in either of two positions.

The present invention may perhaps be most briefly summarized by reference to the disclosed embodiments thereof, a comprising a fixed sup,- porting'frame detachably disposed in a window opening, and by preference of adjustable width, together with a second frame which may consist of a fan-motor housing, and an improved connection between the two frames exemplified by one or more lugs and sockets at each side of the 'secondframe, such that the latter fram may be slightly lifted for disengagement and use apart from the'window if desired, or may be given a half turn and relocated in the window in constant relation in the window opening, for quickly shifting from an outflow. to an inflow operation of fan. v a I-Further objects and'advantage's of the present developments include a lug and socket connection of novel form, which is of general adaptation, but exemplified in use between the fan housing and a pair of brackets or side'trim elements, such that the weight of the fan motor assembly and housing aids in establishing the connection and acts releasably to maintain the part firmly in assembly.

Yet another object and important practical advantage is realized in a novel and simple form of detachable connection such as above noted, and which will in' no way interfere with the adjusting actuation of one or more variably positionabl side panel elements employed toaccommodate the assembly to window openings of different widths.

Still a further important object of the current improvements is realized in a novel combination and location of element in a window fan assembly such as referred to, and'consisting of a particularly advantageous location of lug and socket means for the purpose aforesaid, together with a top handle or comparable lifting means facilitating detachment of one frame structure from another frame structure, as well as a translatory movement of said one structure in its reapplication-to the position of service. I

The foregoing and numerous other objectswill morereadily appearfrom the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment of the improvements, particularly when considered in connection with the accompanying draw:- ing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top or plan view of a window fan assembly embodying certain of the present improvements; l I I Fig. 2 is a front ,elevational view of the as.- sembly; V

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view illustrating oneform of the elements of connection between the fan motor frame, and an outer frame, Fig. 3 being located by line 3-3 of Fig. 1,;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, of certain of the structure shown by Fig.3, particularly as viewed along line 4-4 thereof;

Fig. 5 is aplan view of a fragmentary portion of one of a pair of companion plate elements pro-- vided with integral outstruck flanges constituting one of the elements of a connector of modified form;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig.' 5, showing a connector element complementary to that of Fig. 5; f

Fig. 7 is a view taken from'the rear side of two plate elements connected through interengagement' of :fiange'forma'tions such as shown by Figs. 5 and 6, and y V Fig. 8 isa horizontal'sectional View as taken along line 8I8' of Fig. 7.

,Referring now by characters of reference to the drawing, there is illustrated generally at 10,

anormally fixed frame structure for bridging a.

window opening, for example between the pulley stiles. S-uch a mounting frame includes a normally vertical plate I I provided along its top and bottom margins with flanges i 2 and [3 respectively. Adjustable side panels or wings I and 6 enable an adjustment in width of the assembly, hence an adaptation thereof to window openings of variable width, so as effectively to block such opening against shunt air paths and to compel the fan stream to move entirely through the fan circle, as is Well known in this art. The normally fixed or outer frame includes a pair of fixed hollow side trim members I4 and I5 each usually formed of sheet metal, and each attached securely as by welding, to the vertical plate I l, but free of attachment to the panels or wings '!8=.

The fan assembly proper includes a propeller type fan P together with a drivin motor M, shown as direct-connected to the fan, the motor being mounted through suitable brackets (not shown) which are assembled to the wall elements of a generally rectangular inner frame generally indicated at it, and in the disclosed example constituting a. housing about the fan and motor. The plate II, and a vertical rear wall of the frame-housing 16, as. well. as. the front-wall ll of structure !6, are each provided. with. a circular opening [8, certain of these openings being. provided with. a grille or guard 20 for. usual protective purposes. I The inner frame or housing structure may be formed of. sheet metal. and is provided with vertical side walls 2! and. 22. together with. a. bottom Wall 23. and a top wall. 24. Centrally of. the latter is attached a lifting handle 25., and where desired, a. motor, control switch identified as to location, witha. switch handle 26.

It will best appear from Fig. 1 that the fixed vertical side trim members I4: and I5. each. includes a planar vertical. wall element such as 2'! on member [-4 and 28. on member l5, the members 21 and 28. normally lying closely adjacent if desired, to the adjacent side wall 2 I. The horizontal arm. which constitutes an outward extension of the base. plate 3|, is thence continued downwardly into a substantially right angled hook end, lug or tongue indicated at, 33, and which extends into a socket such as slot; 34 formed in the planar top surface of the adjacent side trim member such as M, the top wall. of each side trim being indicated at 35.

As will best. appear from Fig. 3, the downturned lug or tongue 33 preferably bears. a slight- 1y obtuse angled relation to the arm by whichit is. carried, and by further preference as will best plate.

movement of the frame It and contents, will be slightly to tension the side hooks or lugs between the fixed supports containing the slots 34, thus acting to tension and tighten the inner frame assembly with minimization of vibration, etc., as the lugs or projections identified with elements 33 are firmly seated in the sockets or recesses therefor. Similarly, it will appear that the tapering' width of the lug or other projections 33 results in a tightening effect depthwise of the assembly, as the inner frame is seated by downward movement in the outer frame I ll.

A. somewhat modified form of detachable connection between the fan assembly and elements laterally thereof, is shown by Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8. In this. form, as in the form of connection heretofore described, at least a pair of the connector assemblies are utilized, with at least one thereof on opposite sides of the inner frame assembly l6.

In the form shown by Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a single such. assembly is provided at each side of the inner frame. or housing and. each of the lug or tongue elements is centered with respect-to. a vertical median plane through the inner frame. From this fact it results that, as the assembly I6 is lifted, rotated a half turn about a vertical axis and replaced in constant position with respect to the outer frame, each of. the members 33 will interfit one of the slots- 34, although the.-inter fitted lugs and slots are thustransposed- In the modified form of connection, the adjacent vertical walls or plate elements such. as 2|-Zl: and 22-28 are each provided on its outer face, with a downwardly converging arrangement of paired outstruck linear flanges each pair of which, in. a given wall element, will approximate-a V formation. Each such V- formation. results from a pair of. linear slots 40, the metal from each slot being formed outwardly thereof, or otherwise stated, being outstruck, sov as toresult in an L-shaped flange or hook 4i projected outwardly of the element from. which it is'formed, thehookterminals of each flange being formed or bent in a direction opposite the other flange on the same Such formations on a given. plate, such as 2!, will be turned away from each other, together forming a lug, while those on the adjacent plate, such as 21, will be formed or bent toward each other; constitutinga, socket, the latter being indicated. at 42. Also, the formations onthe respective adjacent plates are relatively reversed, in that they are struck out of. relatively opposite faces. of the plates, and so are presented in a face-to-face relation from the adjacent plates. Since it is. possible: to form the convergmg flange arrangement consisting of the paired outstruck. flanges or 42- by utilization. of similar althoughslightly differing dies'or other toolmg, it will best. appear from Fig. 8 that'one' pair of the resulting flanges 4| will, in. assembly; fall within. and be embraced by an outer' pair of flanges 42 struck outwardly of the companion plate. The connecting action of the two sets of interfitting fianges takes place with a distinct wedging action, as is the preference in the principal embodiment hereinabove described. It is here noted. that the flanges 4-! and 42 result from displacement of. the metal originally in: the slotted areas 40 of the plate by which thefianges are carried.

It will be understood that each outer pair of flanges constitutes a socket for the detachable reception of the. inner pair, normally nested. or seated in such socket, such. inner pair constitu ing a lug or hook. It will also now haverap peared that the two 'detachably nested pairs of flanges constitute a connector means susceptible of usage in connecting the outside. margins of the adjustable panels or wings to stationary metal plates (not shown) in the window opening along the stiles, and in other similar fields. Thus the arrangement, of general adaptation, comprises'on each plate, a pair of. convergent flanges',*each of hook section, with the pair of flanges. on each plate presented toward the other plate,and with the two sets of flanges nested.

We have heretofore referred to the desirability of centering the connector parts on the inner frame I6, depthwise of this assembly. It will of course be understood that more than one connector may be provided at each side of the inner frame, in which case if a pair be employed, the elements of the connector carriedby the inner frame will be equally spaced depthwise, from the vertical median plane of the inner frame. Accordingly, wherever reference is made herein to the centered relation of parts, same shall be taken to include either an on-center disposition of a single lug or projection, or an equal depthwise displacement from center of a pair thereof.

The manner of manipulation incident to usage of an assembly embodying the present improvements is thought to have become apparent from the foregoing'description of parts and their purposes, but it may be noted for completeness that, at the time of initial installation, the outer frame I 0 is much more conveniently lifted into place and adjusted to window width before installation therein of the inner frame. Assuming the outer frame to have been thus adapted to and brought to span the particular window opening in which it is to be used, the inner frame with contents is then readily fitted into place merely by raising this assembly to a point slightly above its final seated position in the outer frame, then lowering same to an extent necessary, in the first embodiment, to seat fully the lug or tongue 33 in the slotted socket 34 bringing the horizontal portion of the lug into firm abutting engagement with the top wall such as 35 of the adjacent fixed side support such as M or IE. If at any time it be desired to utilize the assembly I 6 as a free air fan, a slight lifting movement thereof as by the handle 25, will disengage the elements of the connector, enabling the inner frame or housing to be moved to any desired place of use. 7

Very importantly, the improvements, in either of the described forms, enable the fan-motor assembly to be physically reversed in position'in the window as is sometimes desirable, to change the fan operation and course of air flow, from outside discharge to inside discharge of the air stream. In such case as will now be obvious, the changeover may be efiected merely by lifting the unit [6, for example an inch or so, to disengage the connector parts, withdrawing the inner frame from the outer, then by means .of handle 25 rotating the unit a half turn about a median vertical axis, and reseating same by downward movement, to reengage the companion elements of the connector or connectors at each side of the frame [6. 1 It will now have appeared that the improvements as described will serve fully to realize each of the objects hereinabove stated, and others implied from the disclosure of' structure. Although the invention hasbeen described by detailed reference to alternate forms, such detail of description should be understood solely in an instructive, rather than in any limiting sense,

inasmuch as numerous variants may be made without departure from the full intended scope of the claims hereunto appended.

We claim as'our invention:

1. In a window fan assembly, a' fan and driving motor therefor, a frame supporting the fan and motor in a window opening, a frame support at each side of the frame, each such support having a recessed seat formed therein, and a projection at each side of and serving to carry the weight of the frame and contents, each projection being in interfitting and wedging engagement with one of said seats, said projections be ing centered depthwise of the frame, whereby either projection may engage either seat, per-' mitting inside-outside reversal of the frame incident to lifting, turning and reseating the frame, while preserving a substantially constant relation of the frame to the window opening.

2. In a portable window fan assembly, a fan and driving motor therefor, a frame supporting the fan and motor in a window opening, a frame support at each side of the frame, each such support having a socket formed therein, and a lug formation shaped for wedging action in each socket under weight of the frame, and carried by and projecting from each side of the frame, each lug formation normally being in interfitting engagement with one of said sockets, said lug formations and sockets being centered depthwise .of the frame, whereby either lug formation may engage either socket, permitting inside-outside reversal of the frame, while preserving a substantially constant relation between the frame and the window opening.

3. In a window fan assembly, a fan and driving motor therefor, a frame serving to support the fan and motor in a window opening, a frame support located in fixed position at each side of the frame, each such support being provided with a socket formation adjacent the'frame, downwardly-projecting wedge lugs so located on the sides'of' the frame as to engage said socket formations in wedging relation, the lugs being liftable from and reinsertable in the socket formation selectively thus providing for intake-delivery reversal of the fan and frame assembly,'while preserving asubstantially constant relation of frame, 'depthwise with respect to the window opening and to said supports.

4. The combination and arrangement of fea tures as recited by claim 3, but further characterized in that the hook means consist of a plu rality of L-shaped members with downwardly convergent ends, and-the formation on the frame supports consists of, fixed openings adapted to receive the ends of said L shaped members in wedged relation in the openings.

5. In a window fan assembly, 'a rotary fan and driving motor therefor, a supporting frame for said fan and motor, including at each side thereof a vertical frame plate, a support for said frame including a pair of fixed vertical plates respectively adjacent and parallel to the side plates of said frame,*the adjacent plate elements comprising on each such plate element, a pair of linear convergently related flanges, the flanges on each plate being presented toward the adjacent plate, with the flanges on the one plate nested between those on the other plate.

6. In a window fan assembly of reversiblestream type, a normally vertical mounting plate proportioned and shaped to occupy at least a portion of a window opening, a rotary fan and driving motor therefor, a housing partly enclosing the: fan. and 'motor. assembly, lifting handlemeans on. the. top.v of the housing, a .pair of fixed side elements one at each sideof. the housing, and carried. by said; vertical plate, each of said side elements being providedtwith one. or more. top slots adjacent the fan-motor housing, one or more hook elements attached to and extended outwardly of each side. of said housing, each said hook element having a downturned end and the slots in said side supports corre' sponding in number and locationto the adjacent hooks, the arrangement of hooks and: slots being such that the housing, together with the fan and motor, may be lifted to disengage the hook .ends from the slots, for detachment of the housing from those elements of the assembly normally secured in place in the window opening, the arrangement of hooks and slots further being along a vertical plane medially depthwise of the housing, hence such that the housing and contents may be lifted, rotated a half turn and the housing reseated in position between the side supports, in constant relation thereto, thereby enabling a reversal? of the air flow with respect to the window opening.

'7. In a window fan assembly of reversiblestream type, a normally vertical mounting plate proportioned and shaped to occupy atleast a portion of a window opening, a rotary fan and'driving motor therefor, a housing partly enclosing the fan and motor assembly, lifting handle means on the top of the housing, a pair of'fixed side elements one at each side of the housing, and carried by said vertical plate, each of said side elements being provided with one or more top slots adjacent the fan-motor housing, one 'or more hook elements attached to and extended outwardly of each side of said housing, each said hook element having a downturned end and being formed of a flat metal stock, the hook elements bearing 'a'fixed centered relation to the housing, and-the slots in said side supports corresponding in number and location to the adjacent hooks, each of said hooks having its downturned' end formed with its margins at least slightly downwardly convergent, whereby to facilitate introduction of the hook ends to'the respective slots therefor, and to result in a Wedging action'ofi the hook end in the slot therefor, the arrangement of hooks and slots being such that the housing, together with the fan and motor, may be lifted to disengage the hook ends from the slots, for detachment of the housing from. those elements of the assembly normally secured in place in the window opening, thearrangementof'hooks and slots further being such that the housing and contents may be lifted, rotated ah-alf' turn about a depthwise axis of the housing, and the housing reseated'in position between the side supports, in constant relation thereto, thereby enabling a reversal of the air flow with respect to the window opening.

8; In an axially transposable electric power assembly, a driving motor, a rotary unit driven by the: motor, a frame by which said unit. and motor are carried, a frame support at each side of the frame, the supports serving to locate the power assembly in a fixed position of use, each such support havinga recessed sea-t formed therein, a projection at each side of and serving to. carry the weight of the frame and contents, each projection being normally in interfitting' and wedging engagement. with one of said seats, said proj ections'being centered depth= wiseof the framewhereby eitherprojection may engage; either seat, permitting endwise reversal of the frame incidentv to. lifting, turning'and re.- seating the-frame, while preserving a substan: tially' constant relation of the frame to the frame supports;

9. In an axially transposable electric motoraS- sembly, a driving motor, a unit connected in driven relation to the 'motor, a frame. c0nsti tuting a mounting for said unit and motor, a stationary frame support at each. sideof. the frame, each such supporthaving a socket formed therein, and a lug formation shaped for wedging action. in each socket under the weightof the frame. and contents, each. said lug formation carried by and: projecting from one side of the frame, eachlug formation; normally beingxin interfitting engagement with one of said sockets. said lugformations and. sockets being centered depthwise of the frame whereby either lug-formation may engage either socket, permitting an axial or endwise reversal of the frame together with the motor and unit carried thereby, while preserving a substantially constant relation between the frame and the frame supports.

10. In a window fan assembly of reversiblestream type, a vertical mounting plate proportioned and shaped to occupy" at? least a-portion of a window opening, a rotary fan. and. driving motor therefor, a, housing about the fan and motor assembly, a pair offixed" side elements at each side of the housing and fixedly attached to said vertical plate, each-of said side elements being provided with one or more top openi slots adjacent the fan-motor housing, one or more hook elements attached to and extended outwardly of each side of" said housing; each said hook element having a downturne'ol end. normally extended into one ofthe' adjacent slots,- and the slots'in said side supports corresponding in number and location to theadjacent hooks, the arrangement of hooks and slots be: ing such'that the housing together with. the fan and motor may be lifted to disengage the hook ends from the slots for detachment of the housing from those elements of the assembly which are fixedly secured in place in the window opening, the-arrangement of, hooks and slots further being symmetrically located with respect to a vertical midplane of the housing, hence enabling the housing and contents to be lifted, rotated a half turn and the housing reseated' in position between the side supports in constant relation thereto, thereby enabling a reversal of the air flow with respect to the window opening.

GEORGE A. DELF. GLENN A. DELF.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,917,327 Preston July 14, 1933 1,929,688 Hirschman Oct. 1'0, 1933 1,935,179 Orear .Nov. 14, 1933 2,008,965 Miller July'23, 1935 2,126,499 Peterson Aug. 9, 1938 2,452,950 Morrison Nov. 2, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 820,521. France Aug. 2, 1937 

